Bhutan Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed the possibility of exporting hydropower from Bhutan to Bangladesh during a courtesy call paid by Minister Wangchuk at the Bangladesh Prime Minister's office in Dhaka on 1 November 2015.

According to the Bhutanese Economic Affairs Minister, Bhutan is interested to supply hydropower to Bangladesh at the lowest possible cost to help meet the country's growing demand for electricity. Bhutan currently generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, with the potential to produce 30,000 MW.

Prime Minister Hasina expressed hope that Bhutan's unexplored hydropower will reach Bangladesh, and noted her government is keen to participate in Bhutan's future power projects. The Prime Minister also added that India is positive about helping Bangladesh import power from Nepal and Bhutan under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) framework.

Prime Minister Hasina and Minister Wangchuk also discussed cooperation in both bilateral and sub-regional contexts – including India and Nepal – on water resource management and connectivity. Under the recently-signed BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, connectivity among the four countries could grow, said Prime Minister Hasina.

During the meeting, Minister Wangchuk congratulated Prime Minister Hasina for her leadership in climate change and for receiving the United Nations' environmental award 'Champions of the Earth'.

Related Links:

• Bhutan interested to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh
• Bhutan offers to export 'cheapest' hydropower
• Editorial: Hydropower Import from Bhutan